Yoga Your Way – Anusara

“Grace is the foundation upon which all true spiritual progress rests. Grace alone is sufficient to untangle the knot of ego. Grace alone is the breeze that cools the fever of separatative fear, guilt and sin. Cultivating grace is the answer to all problems of spiritual and worldly life.” – from “The Yoga of Spiritual Devotion, A Modern Translation of the Narada Bhakti Sutras” by Prem Prakash

I love the idea of grace. A gift, freely given. An unsolicited, joyful surprise – like rainfall on a scorching summer day.

We’ve all been given many gifts – our life, body, breath, talents – and even our limitations. And, each of these gifts is an avenue through which divine radiance can shine. Anusara Yoga is a form of practice that celebrates this.

The word “Anusara” means “Flowing with Grace” and is defined as “Saying yes to the whole magical spectrum of life. It is a willingness to be aware of all parts of ourselves – the light and the dark, the full rainbow of sensation, perception, emotion and thought. …Anusara is accepting the world and ourselves as we are, and then responding with love.”(paraphrased from the Anusara Website)

Suzanne Lynch, Anusara-Inspired Instructor and Owner/Director of Saratoga Springs Yoga, Saratoga Springs, New York, explored other traditions before finding a home in this “Heart Centered” practice. She’s studied yoga for more than 20 years, and incoinspired by her work with Deb Neubauer She brings to her teaching an interest in yoga therapeutics and a long-term practice of meditation and Centering Prayer. Suzanne has worked as a hospital chaplain and was certified in 2001 by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. Presently she is studying meditation and philosophy with Paul Muller Ortega, Ph D.

Suzanne Lynch

With all that’s going on in her life, Suzanne was happy to make some time to talk to Holistic Health about her practice.

1) How long have you been practicing? – Since 1989! I began with 7 years of Iyengar training when I was in my 20′s and 30′s and was deeply influenced by senior teachers, especially Patricia Walden. I studied three years at Jivamukti in NYC and I’ve gone through Kripalu Teacher Training. In 2002 I took a workshop with Deb Neubauer and since then I’ve studied Anusara Yoga.

2) Do you teach this style? How did you go about getting certified? – I’m presently certified as an Anusara Inspired Teacher, and I’m moving into the Anusara certification process in the next few months. There are very rigorous standards to meet to become certified. Anusara teachers are among the most highly trained yoga teachers in the US. I have over 1000 hours of training with John (Friend) and other senior teachers.(Note: No “newbees” to yoga need apply for certification. Click here to see the extensive list of prerequisites.) Once you apply, the certification process takes about a year, the candidate works with a mentor who watches videos of classes, and gives feedback and guidance.

Deb Neubauer

3) What personally drew you to this type of yoga? – Deb Neubauer, my first Anusara teacher, taught classes that made me feel uplifted and supported on all levels. Looking back, I see that Deb truly invokes a flow of Grace, and really rides that current as she teaches. I experienced wonder and awe in her classes. That drew me in!

The poses in Anusara Yoga are considered to be “heart-centered”, and are expressed from “Inside out”. Instead of only trying to control the body and mind from the outside, the poses originate from a deep artistic feeling inside. There is an emphasis on remembering the spiritual purpose of hatha yoga, which includes reconnecting with our innate goodness, power, and beauty, and expressing ourselves from that divine place.

Also, it’s my experience that Anusara Yoga heals. I had a neck injury after a car accident, and despite visits to my doctor, PT, and chiropractor, I was still in pain almost a year after the accident. My doctor felt I needed to be on pain meds the rest of my life! Anusara teacher Desiree Rumbaugh identified my neck problem in the first 10 min. of a workshop she was teaching, and helped me heal my neck pain in a weekend. It never returned.

4) As you see it, are there special gifts or benefits to this style? – One translation of the word Anusara is “flowing with Grace” or more poetically, “Following in the wake of the ship of your Heart”. To deeply open to your own heart, your own Source Energy, and live from that place–that is the gift.

A very special benefit of Anusara Yoga is learning about the The Universal Principles of Alignment. If properly applied, they bring healing and health to injuries and limitations. Learning to work with the body’s naturally healing energy has been a gift from my teachers; everyone can learn this through engaging with the Principles.

5)Do you notice this type of yoga attracts a particular type of person? - Anusara attracts all kinds of people, Students at Saratoga Springs Yoga range from teenagers to those in their 70′s. We offer Therapeutic Classes, very dynamic advanced classes, and everything in between.

P.S. Suzanne wanted everyone to know that Deb Neubauer is bringing two great weekends of workshops to Saratoga Springs Yoga in 2011. “Healing and Empowerment: A Two-Part Anusara Yoga Therapeutic Series with Deb Neubauer” January 28-30, 2011, and March 18-20, 2011. For students and teachers alike, Deb will present basic anatomy relative to specific conditions, and how to use Anusara Universal Principles of Alignment therapeutically. Conditions such as problems with feet, knees, ankles and hips, as well as more generalized issues such as Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Anxiety and Depression will be covered. See the Saratoga Springs web page for more information. Students may register for individual classes, weekends, or the entire series.

4 Responses

Thank you for sharing information about Anusara Yoga and your interview with Suzanne Lynch. I never realized the connection between grace and alignment, although now it appears self evident. On your advice, I am seeing Suzanne next week and look forward to learning more about the manifold benefits of this type of practice. As always, I remain grateful for your commitment to bring a greater understanding of yoga and its many gifts to all who are open to its wisdom. Have a joyous Thanksgiving. Leslie

Dear Leslie- So very happy that you and Suzanne were able to connect. All of these options in practice are there because each person is unique, and responds in their own way. Living and yoga is just one grand, fabulous experiment! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. Peace.Judi

People need to know that just because Yoga is primarily rooted in Hindu philosphy, they don’t have to be believers of Hinduism to derive the numerous benefits Yoga has to offer including help with many chronic health problems. http://goo.gl/ajmad

Dear Doc- This is absolutely true! Yoga is a welcome addition to the wellness program of one and all. It’s important to understand that while yoga definitely has a “spiritual” component, it isn’t “religious” in the sense of promoting one belief over another. Yoga, after all, does mean “Union”. Peace

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